Mbryonics shoots for stars with €17.5m funding

Galway space tech company Mbryonics is at the forefront of transforming satellite communications.

Mbryonics has been approved for a recommended investment of €17.5m from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator.

The business is at the forefront of transforming satellite communications, datacoms, and 5G wireless sectors through cutting-edge wireless optical transport and Coherent Photonic-Optical (CPO) transceiver technologies, ensuring high-speed, secure communication infrastructures in space, air, and on land. 

“This period marks an exhilarating phase for Mbryonics, as our StarCom optical terminal is set to launch in 2025, supporting a client’s development of a space-based quantum internet”

The €17.5m investment will allow the company establish a significant manufacturing, assembly, and testing facility for optics and photonics in the west of Ireland over the next five years.

The West is building the future of telecoms

The company also plans to focus its efforts on innovative freeform optics and photonic integrated circuits manufacturing techniques, leading to advancements in process efficiency, supply chain management, and sustainability. 

“This award from the European Innovation Council (EIC) along with the ongoing support from Enterprise Ireland and the Irish European Space Agency (ESA) will fuel our efforts to expand our advanced optical and photonic integrated circuit manufacturing capabilities in the West of Ireland.

“This period marks an exhilarating phase for Mbryonics, as our StarCom optical terminal is set to launch in 2025, supporting a client’s development of a space-based quantum internet,” said John Mackey, CEO of Mbryonics.

“Additionally, the US government has chosen StarCom to facilitate a space-based internet linking government satellites with various commercial satellite networks, including Starlink and Kuiper, showcasing the impact of our team’s decade-long commitment and effort.” 

Part of the EU’s Horizon Europe 2021-2027 Research and Innovation Programme, the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator Programme is Europe’s flagship innovation programme and it provides grant funding of up to €2.5 million combined with an equity investment ranging from €0.5 to €15 million in a blended finance offer. Enterprise Ireland leads the National Support Network for Horizon Europe which includes supporting Irish deeptech companies to compete and win funding in the highly competitive EIC funding programmes. 

The EIC Accelerator Programme provides transformational funding for high-potential, high-risk start-ups, scale ups and SMEs led by a strong, well-balanced leadership team which are already making good progress in commercialising highly differentiated, deep-tech products capable of creating new markets or disrupting existing ones.

“Mbryonics is an exciting deep technology company at the leading edge of its industry and this award recognises that excellence,” said Enterprise Ireland CEO Leo Clancy.

“Ireland’s overall success in the Horizon Europe EIC programme, supported by Enterprise Ireland in our National Contact Point capacity, shines a spotlight on the innovation and capability of Irish companies to compete on a global level. This funding provides the critical support required to enable these innovative companies to develop and scale their businesses and I wish Mbryonics every success for the future.”

Main image at top: Leo Clancy, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, John Mackey, CEO, Mbryonics, Minister of State Neale Richmond

  • Bank of Ireland is welcoming new customers every day – funding investments, working capital and expansions across multiple sectors. To learn more, click here

ThinkBusiness
ThinkBusiness.ie, powered by Bank of Ireland, has been created for Irish business owners and managers who are seeking information, resources and help on a range of business topics. It provides practical, actionable information and guidance on starting, growing and running a business.

Recommended